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Luke 1:34-38
The question that Mary asks of the angel of the Lord is very different from the question that Zacharias asks of the angel of the Lord in that Zacharias was questioning the event in unbelief that the event would happen, “How shall I know this?” (Luke 1:18a, NKJV); while Mary is not questioning that the event could or would happen, but that in the happening of the event, how was it going to take place, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34). The unbelief of Zacharias is confirmed in Luke 1:20, “But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” The belief of Mary is confirmed in Luke 1:38, “Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
Because of Mary’s belief in this event taking place, the angel Gabriel proceeds to explain to her how the event will unfold, which leads her to further rejoicing. We also learn from this passage that John the Baptist (the child that Elizabeth has conceived) is six months older than Jesus (the child that Mary is about to conceive).
Luke 1:37 states, “For with God nothing will be impossible.” Both Elizabeth and Mary are experiencing the “impossible” as Elizabeth is barren and past the age of childbirth, and Mary is to become pregnant while remaining a virgin.
In the Old Testament God chose the Israelites to be an example in that, due to sin which dwells in everyone, it is impossible to fulfill the requirements of the Law that He gave to Moses. As God gave the Law to Moses, He wanted to show man that everyone is sinful and in need of a Savior to redeem humanity from sin. Elizabeth and Mary experienced events in their lives that were impossible for them, but through God the impossible was made possible. God has also shown the world that it is impossible for man to overcome the effects of sin, but what is impossible for man is made possible through God’s plan of redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ who was sent to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17). John the Baptist would grow to one day declare, as he saw Jesus approaching (John 1:29), “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
This is how God tied the Old Testament to the New Testament in the transition from the Law to faith.
This is a promise and example that what is impossible for man is possible for God.
We all may face situations in our lives each day that seem impossible, yet God is waiting for us to give Him our struggles, trials, and temptations that He may show us that what is impossible for us is possible for Him. He sent us His Son through an impossible way to show us that all of man’s ways are impossible for us to redeem ourselves or reach heaven by our own means or works; it is only through God’s intervention that we are able to receive the gift of eternal life; eternal life that is only receivable by receiving Christ Jesus into our hearts and making the commitment to seek His will for our lives each and every day. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Dear Lord,
The overarching lesson that You have been trying to teach us for centuries upon centuries is that we are incapable of saving ourselves from sin. Please help us to see that being sinful, we cannot become pure in and of ourselves. Please help us to see that You sent Your one and only Son in His purity to be the redeeming sacrifice that overcame sin for all of man. Please help each of us to see that Jesus died for us, in our place, so that we may live through Him. In Jesus name I pray, amen.